9. Which is the most useful word in Japanese?

Have you already seen any Japanese moive like “Shall We Dance?” I wrote earlier. You know Japanese. I mean how difficult it seems to be for for foreigners. But when you need to talk to Japanese, it is better to say something in Japanese.

Even in Japan, you can start with “HELLO”, or “EXCUSE ME.” They understand the meaning of the words, but it is a little bit hard for them to catch those words with native pronunciation. In the most cases, they react like “What should I do? This foreinger looks like talking to me. I hope he/she will just leave now” Then, they will say, “I’m sorry” or nothing and leave before you get into a subject.

The problem here is that your native pronunciation makes them nervous. Most Japanese people aren’t accustomed to face foreigners in the real world. Even they watch a lot of American movies, bu they change their attitude when they are in situation with real Americans.

So, what should YOU do? Use any Japanese for getting a confortable start with them. But don’t pick wrong words like “Samurai”, “Geisha”, “Fujiyama” or they immediately recognize you as a stupid alian. There is a word having useful plural meanings. It is “Doh-mo.” This word means “Hello (Hi)” “Thank you” “Sorry” and “Good bye.” It expresses a sort of emotion; appreciation, appology, sympathy, and blessing. For the presie of the use you should put something before or after DOH-MO. However it is too much for you anyway at the begining. Just try to use them when you want to talk to Japanese. They will show their smile to you.

8. Pick Japanese airlines instead!

As you can guess, there are five or more airlines are in service for flying to Japan. Because you are familiar to them, you pick UA or NW to fly there without hesitation. It is a good move when you are gathering mileage from them. However, if you really want to experience Japan in your whole trip, try Japanese airlines instead. I’m not a salesman for them. There is a certain reason for sure.

When someone treats someone, his or her culture background will appear behind their service. It is not only staff like meals. Food in Japanese airlines is pretty much similar to American ones but sushi sometime. However, you start experience “Japan” at the check in counter through the service persons’ attitude. Also, the flight time to Japan is very long like 13 hours and more. Through the hours, you are in the mood of Japanese house totally. The flight attendances are well trained on Japanese etiquette. For example you don’t have to hear loud chitchat behind the brief curtain and nobody forces you to eat during deep sleep. Additionally, there are some visual presentation on the screen in front with Japanese movie, TV show, and news. When you arrive at the terminal of Narita or Kansai, you are ready to step in to true Japan.

The are two pure Japanese airlines which are Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways(ANA). Oh, I almost forget to tell you this. Their mileage plans are linked to UA or AA. So, don’t worry about wasting your mileage.

7. How to learn Japanese

If you want to learn Japanese and be a practical Japanese speaker, there are many steps to go. The reason is that the Asian language has a totally different grammar structure compared to European languages. Even Chinese has a similar structure to English. Therefore, you can’t think of learning Japanese like leaning Spanish as a second language. However, you don’t feel hopeless before trying anything, because you can start communicating somehow with Japanese people with basic expression. Relax and start leaning Japanese with having some fun.

The serious move for mastering any language is taking classes in a school. Any community collages in big cities have a Japanese class for public. They guide you to a sense of the language quickly. You can also try books, but you go wrong way easily with just understanding composition, because the pronunciation of Japanese is very hard. Without checking with right pronunciation, nobody will understand what you are talking. If you don’t have a chance to hear real pronunciation in classes, you must try other ways. The practical materials are Japanese movies like original “Shall We Dance?” for example. In this case, pick only modern story pieces. As you can guess, samurai period movies talk in old Japanese which makes your Japanese weird in daily use. When you see the movies, pay attention on Japanese accent and sound along side with reading English subtitles. After seeing a couple of movie, you start picking up the rhythm and tempo of Japanese. (To be continued)

6. SAMURAI FILM

If you haven’t seen any samurai film before, Akira Kurosawa’s ones must be highly recommended. The films below are satisfaction guaranteed films from his filmography.

1. SEVEN SAMURAI
It’s a world famous Kurosawa film. A bit long, but you learn what samurai spirit is. The criterion collection has just released the new DVD of the film.

2. YOJIMBO
It’s a character driven film. The lead character is very attracted as a heroic type of samurai. It is a well made piece for entertaining anybody. If you like the film, you better check another episode titled SANJURO.

3. THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
It contains both action and comedy. The two comical characters gave George Lucas the idea for C3-PO and R2-D2 in Star Wars.

4. THE THRONE OF BLOOD
The film is based on Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. It is a dark film, but you can enjoy his artistic sense.

Reminder: They are all Black and White films. SEVEN SAMURAI and THE THRONE OF BLOOD aren’t in Widescreen format.